[kellychaos]

I concur. At best, showing the cat the ear plugs in the litter box is probably going to leave him/her with the thought "So I'm NOT to supposed to shit in there? Oh well, your shoes will do just as nicely." Punishing them in the act, especially when the situation is repeated, will eventually teach him not to continue that behavior ... well, at least when you're there anyway. Nowadays, if my cat jumps on the table, a simple look will cause him to jump down.